Bus Crash Kills Over 70 Afghan Refugees Returning from Iran in Herat

A tragic bus crash in Herat province, northwestern Afghanistan, killed at least 76 to 79 people, including 17 to 19 children, after the vehicle collided with a fuel truck and a motorbike and caught fire. The bus was carrying Afghan refugees recently deported from Iran, traveling from the border town of Islam Qala toward Kabul. Officials attributed the accident to excessive speed and driver negligence, with the collision causing a massive fire that killed most passengers on the spot. This disaster highlights the broader context of forced mass deportations of Afghans from Iran and Pakistan, with over 1.5 million Afghans expelled in 2025 alone amid accusations and political tensions. The Taliban has condemned these expulsions, emphasizing the plight of approximately 6 million Afghan refugees still living abroad. International organizations have warned about the dangers and human rights concerns linked to these forced returns under the Taliban regime.